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BBC may axe Wark in holiday furore

KIRSTY WARK, one of the BBC’s top female broadcasters, faces exclusion from its Scottish election coverage after she invited a senior Labour politician to spend two family holidays at her Spanish villa.

Senior executives believe the controversy over her friendship with Jack McConnell, the Scottish first minister, has compromised her credibility and impartiality. They are preparing to replace her in the role.

Describing the holidays as “ill-advised”, a senior BBC source said: “The issue is one of perception — it’s how she will be regarded by other politicians she has to interview and how she is seen by the people watching at home.”

Wark has also been rebuked by senior executives on the BBC’s Newsnight programme, with one manager describing her behaviour as “silly” and “short-sighted”. But she does not face the sack.

The controversy is, however, likely to intensify. McConnell is facing an investigation by the Scottish parliamentary standards commissioner